Need input on Dodge Truck

[Jrry]

My son is looking at a 2003 Dodge Ram 1500 with the V8 Hemi engine. This is a single cab with 6 ft bed. I"ve never owned a Dodge. the truck seems to be in good condition but I would say the previous owner/owners did not baby it as it has scratches all in the cargo area and the seats are not real clean but ok. The truck has automatic transmission and thats about all the extras it has. The dealer is asking $10,700 and he will put new tires on it but he will listen to an offer. Questions are (1) Will the truck do ok to haul trailor and car/tractor with, and (2) what would be a fair offer. Anything other to cconsider? thanks

 

[omahagreg]

I had a full size Dodge van, and had so much trouble getting parts (from the dealer) that I would not recommend a Dodge to anyone. Greg

 

[IaGary]

How many miles on this truck?

Kind of a light truck to haul big loads.

Gary

 

[jokers]

yeah, obviously all dodge dealers are as hard as yours to get parts from.....................

BTW, how old was that van when you were trying to get parts?

 

[Anonymous-0]

I've had a few. Never had any good luck with any of them.

 

[jokers]

I`ve owned several Dodges now and had good service from them. All trucks previous to this one had the 5.9L gasser and they were ok for towing but when the hemi became the only available gas engine I went to a diesel. Several road tests that I read at the time stated that you need to keep the engine at about 4200 rpm to stay in the powerband, doesn`t sound ideal to me, or frankly, even good!

If you do decide to go with this truck, pony up a few more bucks and have the dealer throw on some D or E rated tires instead of the glorified passenger car tires he will default to. This will make a big difference while towing throw cuves.

 

[JGarner]

I have had nothing but Dodge trucks. My worst problem was one made in Mexico which appeared to not have had primer applied inside body panels, no mechanical difficulties. My Current truck is a 1999 D1500. It has a 5.9liter V-8 and heavy duty automatic. No major mechanical problems, one starter at about 95k and a water pump at about 100k. I take very good care of my vehicles and have had zero problems getting parts from Chrysler dealers over 40 years of driving.

Key to good service from trucks of any make is maintenance. If it doesn't look to have had good mechanical maintenance walk away. Any truck that has been used for hauling will have scratches in the bed. Soiled seats could mean unrully, poorly disciplned kids that were allowed to eat and drink in the car. Do your home work and ask for maintenance records. Again if you can't get them walk away and find one you can verify maintenance.

We bought my son a 1991 Ford F-100 with 97k miles in 1997. Meticulous maintenance records and no mechanical problems until it was T Boned and totaled in 2001. Maintenance, maintenance, maintenance!!!

 

[Jrry]

Forgot to mention the miles. It has about 55,000 miles and it has the big tires which will be replaced by the same size. thanks

 

[barnrat]

My best friend designed the frame on the '02 and up Dodge's, I've also mostly owned Dodges all my life. I've never had much luck with the Fords, Chevys or Toyota's. The hemi motor in those is basically bullet proof, Lottsa power, I have an '03 dodge 2500 4x4 hemi quad cab shortbox with a snow plow and manual transmission. I have put 80,000 miles on it since I bought I've only put a clutch in the thing so far. I also have a 28ft gooseneck that I tend to over load with tractors, equipment or hay. you should be able to yank around a trailer with no problem with that truck.

 

[Mark - IN.]

I would imagine that they're like anyone else. Common parts that span model years are available for as long as...there's demand for them. Other parts typically have a shelf or availability life of 10 years...is what the Chevy parts guy told me back in the day when I was building Chevy motors. I have the two Cummins', and am satisfied with them overall. Very few complaints about them or parts.

Hey...what the heck? Even the Deere guy up the road doesn't stock all of my parts and once or twice scratched his head and said, "Hmm, gonna be a tough one, its on back order or we'll have to go out onto the used market". Things sometimes happen.

 

[Allan in NE]

I dunno Jer,

I think that they are a pretty darned good truck. Only thing I wouldn't like is that short box.

The 1500 is a half-ton isn't it? Neighbor has an 06 2500 model with the hemi and it seems to pull a 16' cattle trailer okay. Not a real power-house, but it sure gets the job done, at any rate.

Allan

 

[Spook]

As per federal law, automakers are required to keep mechanical parts availible for 10 years past the last model year.

 

[Pair-a-dice farms]

Well opinions are like...noses everybody's got one, here's mine. Everyone's got a favorite brand, car, truck, tractor whatever. I've always run fords and have had good luck I've got 4 now that have a total of over 900,000 miles on them.
In 2005 I was in the market for a new truck and money was tight so I went with the least expensive one I could buy, it was a Dodge 1500 4x4 with an 8' box and the 4.7 liter. I was $2500 cheaper than the comparable ford. I am not at all satisfied because it has been in the shop several times and the dealer basically gave up trying to get it to run right. It has a bad hesitation at lower speeds such as driving across pastures. None of my fords have been in the shop anywhere near as much and the 6 cylinders will out pull the dodge and get better gas milage. I probably just got a lemon but unless I get a cummins this will be my last dodge.

 

[BarryfromIA]

Get a long bed or a cab and a half for better towing. If you want to turn a bolt do you want a long handled wrench or a short handled wrench. Thrills are not what you want when you are towing.

 

[RickL]

I owned one chevy bought new,never again, Been dodges ever since in trucks and cars and have run 200,000 on all of them or more. I don't trade mine go to scrap when done or sold to kids for shcool cars. Mail vehicle is dodges also as the chevys are to short life on the route too. that truck would be for city use to me no long bed,also would not want that unit for pulling trailer,get at least 8 ft bed for that also ride much better. those short wheel base trucks are like bullfrogs to ride.

 

[Anonymous-0]

$10,700.00 seems way to much for that Basic 1/2 Ton Truck. I passed just the other day on a '02 Dodge 3500 Dually w/ Diesel,78K Miles.All power, very good condition,White and Blue .Has 6 Speed , 2" Hitch Reciever,very good Goodrich Radials and Base Plates for Reese Hitch ,well you get the Picture. Asking price $15,500.00 plus Dealer extras. So for $4800.00 more you can get a much better Truck. This is no Scam. The dealer is just south of Wickenburg Az. on US 60 and is in the Misc.Machinery and Truck Buisness. Not your usual Ford,GMC,Chrysler, Rice Burner Dealerships. I found a Ford Dually [just like equip and year] and in my color,Blue.

 

[Mike M]

Here's another YES for the Dodge. I have a 1996 Ram 2500 4x4 ext. cab long bed 360 gas engine auto tranny with 170,000 miles and still going.
Only other more trouble free truck is mom's 1986 Toyota but you can't do much with them. I'd take a long hard look at the new Toyota's !! if you don't need a 1 ton diesel if you do get a Dodge with the Cummins. Only better thing may be if they would put the Mercedes diesel in them as in the funny looking sprinter vans. Those get GREAT mileage.

 

[Mike M]

Here's another YES for the Dodge. I have a 1996 Ram 2500 4x4 ext. cab long bed 360 gas engine auto tranny with 170,000 miles and still going.
Only other more trouble free truck is mom's 1986 Toyota but you can't do much with them. I'd take a long hard look at the new Toyota's !! if you don't need a 1 ton diesel if you do get a Dodge with the Cummins. Only better thing may be if they would put the Mercedes diesel in them as in the funny looking sprinter vans. Those get GREAT mileage.

 

[Mark - IN.]

Well, that certainly might explain it.

 

[Anonymous-0]

screw the mercedes diesel.

What good is a diesel engine that doesn't have the torque? I don't think a sprinter van engine will pull a 5th wheel very well.

Nothing beats the old 5.9 knocker

 

[Anonymous-0]

Bought my '98 1500 4X4 new with all the buttons..Went back under warranty 16 times total , 3 of them on a hook..No Sir...Not Again..Oh , Mileage ??? Try 11 mpg downhill with a tail wind..I plow snow , and have for the last 35 years..My '79 Blazer went 9 years with nothing more than normal maintenance..It went away because the floors disappeared..My '87 1500 Silverado with front blade and rear scraper box went 80 some thousand miles [ 11 years ]..With one warranty transmission problem..A snap ring failed..Nothing else was done besides normal maintenance..Then I bought the Ram..What a sweet looking ride!!!Kinda like my first wife........

 

[Mike M]

They not not pull ? I don't know ? But they sure do run smooth and get good mileage. Got some parts delivered the other day at work and driver had one of those. Driver said got real good mileage and man it sure did run smooth and quiet .